See also:

Martyrdom, Martyrs, Martyrologies

Juniata College Web Tour - Martyrdom - Martyrs - Martyrologies

This is the web version of our Library Treasure Room tour of
martyrologies held in the Special Collections at Juniata College.

"Martyrology: ...a book containing a list of Christian martyrs
and other saints in the order of their commemoration with some account
of their lives and sufferings." The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd
edition.

Whenever individuals or movements question or dissent from the power
structures of their time - be it that of a state or an institutional
church - the representatives of that power structure consider its own
security and identity threatened. The response of such a power structure
is always revealing: it usually takes the form of persecution, capture,
incarceration, interrogation, torture and execution.

"One does not persecute something that does not scare, and it
does not scare unless it has appeal," Episcopalian Bishop John Shelby
Spong.

"The Anabaptist reform movement of the 16th century in Europe
was a threat to society, Christendom, government, and the rising middle
class. As a consequence, thousands of Anabaptists were burned to death,
decapitated, drowned, tortured and martyred in other ways. Today they
have been recognized as pioneers in pushing for the separation of church
and state, advocates for freedom of religion, and voluntary church
membership. Their idea of baptism on confession of faith has also been
given new attention. " The Brethren Enclyclopedia.

"It is true that we are to suffer in the valley of shadows, even
in the valley of death where many were killed in terrible ways -
beheaded, drownded, strangled, burned, killed on the wheel, or by wild
beast, half devoured, and brought to their end in other
ways. Some went not only willingly, but with joy to their
deaths." T.J. van Braght, author of the 1660, Dutch martyrology.

"This exhibit presents Christian martyrologies written by Dutch and English authors in the 16th and 17th centuries.”